Bill to expand attendance supports and reengagement programs wins broad support from districts and advocates

Senate Bill 5007, designed to strengthen early warning systems and supports for chronically absent students, was discussed before the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee.

Committee staff described the bill’s scope: it would require each Educational Service District (ESD) to maintain training and coaching capacity for robust early warning systems; expand the Building Bridges grant program to include chronically absent students and allow community-based organizations, tribes and community and technical colleges to receive grants; and broaden the Open Doors dropout reengagement system’s allowable supports for students (including test fees, calculators, clothing, food, transportation, and connections to behavioral and…